HOST A STUDENT
WITH YOUR EDUCATION
Every year Your Education welcomes students from 12 countries around the world to New Zealand, where they enjoy a semester or year welcomed into a Kiwi family, high school and community. We have a team of passionate Local Area Representatives throughout the country who work to support our students and host families.
From the day your family decides to host with Your Education until your new family member departs for their homeland Your Education will be with you every step of the way.
With our extensive experience in the exchange industry, Your Education knows what is required to ensure a positive and memorable exchange for our students.
We also strongly support regulatory and code of practice requirements. Your Education is a member of the New Zealand Council for Intercultural Education and adheres to the Council’s principles of good practice. We are also a signatory to the New Zealand Ministry of Education Code of Practice.
HOST FAMILY FAQ'S
Why should I host?
By hosting an exchange student you will quickly see the rewarding experience it brings to your family and friends. Some might say that it is life changing, but your foremost role will be welcoming a new culture into your home and making a lifelong relationship across the globe. Hosting also allows exchange students to experience how we as Kiwis live, and most importantly shows them the best of New Zealand and your local area.
What is Your Education looking for?
There is no exact definition for what constitutes a perfect host family. The host families that are hosting with us are from different backgrounds but all have the common passion of sharing the best of New Zealand. We encourage all host families to consider hosting and benefiting from this unique experience. Some of our host families have young children and teenagers, or their own children have just moved out from home. We also have host families who are single parents, newlywed, retired or grandparents. One thing that all our host families have in common is their passion for making a quality difference to our exchange students’ time in New Zealand.
What is required?
Our host families provide exchange students with a bedroom (this can be shared with a sibling of a similar age), provide meals and welcome their student as a member of their family not as a guest. Students come with their own spending money for personal items, schoolbooks, travel costs and mobile phone.
Are host families paid?
Our host families receive a contribution towards the cost of hosting.
Where are the students from?
Our students come from 12 different countries around the world.
How long will they stay for?
We have students arriving in January and July of each year, for various lengths. The most common lengths that we have are either a half-year (5 months) or a full year (11 months). We do have students coming for shorter periods, too.
Can we choose the student?
Yes! Our Local Area Representatives will work closely with you to select a student that best matches your family. With over a decade of experience we have great experience in finding the best student to match your family.
What if there is a problem with the student?
You will be supported by a team member known as a Local Area Representative. The Local Area Representative is there to ensure that you have the necessary practical and emotional support throughout your hosting experience, and to help you overcome problems as smoothly as possible. You will also have the support of the team in the Your Education office. Through good communication and support we are known to resolve most issues that occur, but in the rare instance that things don't work out we would be there to move the student to a new host family.
Absolutely! During the time that the student is living with you they are seen as part of your family. We only require that you inform your Local Area Representative about any trips you are doing, so that we know where you are in case of an emergency.
You may contact us via this website or alternatively send us an email to info@youreducation.co.nz or call us tollfree on 0800 13 76 16. Once we hear from you we will put you in touch with a Local Area Representative closest to you – who will be happy to explain the programme further and welcome you to the Your Education community.
Do you have more questions? Or you feel like you are ready to host with us?
Or would you like some more information? If so, please see this document:
MATCHING PROCESS
Once your family expresses an interest in becoming a host family you will be visited by a Your Education Local Area Representative. This person will be there to support you through the whole process, including selecting your student and settling them into your home.
Your family will go through an interview process and Your Education will collect references and a police check. Once you have been approved as a suitable host family you will be shown profiles of Your Education students and get to select the student you would like to host in your home. In this way you are able to find the perfect match for your family.
SUPPORT
Your Local Area Representative will continue to support both your family and your host student throughout the exchange. This includes welcome and farewell orientations which are the perfect opportunity to meet other host families and exchange students in your community.
Our Local Area Represenatives all have a passion for travel and cultural sharing and have usually hosted many times themselves. Meet some of the team and find out why they love cultural exchange.
